For those of you demanding to know how to pronounce Lady Eanruig’s name, it’s not “Yahn-reek” but “You-reek.” For instance, Lady You-reek, I suggest you bathe.
Respectfully submitted,
The Midnight Cryer
Will almost choked on his apricot tartlets. He cleared his throat twice before he ventured to say a word. Not that a question about his Latin prowess was shocking, but he hadn’t seen such an odd query coming.
Really, who would ask about someone’s Latin skills?
Only the enigma who stood before him. When her tongue had gently darted out to capture that spot of jam on her thumb, he’d almost fallen out of his chair. It was the most sensual act he’d seen since … well, he couldn’t remember.
Concern flooded Lady Theodora’s—Will corrected himself, Lady Eanruig’s—cheeks with color. Her worry delighted him immensely as it swept away the recent look of forlorn misery that tinted her unusual eyes.
He’d never seen such eyes as hers. They weren’t green or blue, but something in between, a mysterious color that seemed to change hue based upon the light. No words could adequately describe her hair color either. The first time he saw her, he could have sworn that she had blond hair. But in the salon, it appeared red with strands of gold braided through. Light freckles dotted her straight nose, and her lips appeared flawless. Plump and lush with the perfect pink color, they demanded attention.
He bent his head so he wouldn’t continue to gawk at her. She was uncommonly becoming.
What was he doing? Mooning and cataloging her every feature.
With a swipe of her hand, she brushed a runaway curl behind her ear.
His gut tightened when the loose curl bounced back in defiance. His fingers itched to brush it back for her. It’d give him the opportunity to see which was softer—her hair or the delicate skin of her cheek.
Completely unaware of the effect she was having on him, she scooted to the edge of her chair, and that blasted curl bounced again, taunting him.
“Would you care for another cup of tea?” she asked.
To refer to it as tea was stretching the truth a bit as the liquid tasted more like hot water. But he didn’t want to offend her, so he drank the entire cup in one swallow then held it out for more. “Please.”
“Oh, lovely.” She smiled and poured him another cup.
Will could have sworn the sun shone a little brighter in that moment as if delighted she was happy.
“You were asking about my Latin prowess? Yes, I read it.”
“Would you come upstairs with me?” Suddenly, she grew very serious. Her breathing had accelerated which emphasized the smooth and creamy expanse of her chest. The bodice of her gown was modest, but it revealed enough cleavage that he had little doubt her breasts would fit quite nicely in his hand. With her hair color and complexion, he’d wager the color of her nipples were a delightful shade of rose.
He bit the inside of his cheek to quiet his runaway musings. He was only here as a courtesy to his aunt. Why would he even have such thoughts? He’d seen other beautiful women and never had the urge to fantasize about their nipple color.
Though frankly, he could easily see them a perfect shade of coral.
Enough.
His only purpose was to call on her, then take his leave. Hopefully, he’d be on his way to London tomorrow.
“Please, lead the way.” He swept his hand toward the door.
With a brisk nod, Thea brushed past him, then glided out of the room like a woman on a mission. Without a word, he followed. When she ascended the staircase, her hips gently swayed side to side as she kept two steps ahead of him. The subtle movement could charm the snake out of the Garden of Eden.
He gently shook his head. What had happened to him? When and how did he lower his guard around this woman? It must be some type of Northumberland magic that had him in its clenches. He’d help her, then take his leave. With his resolve back under his somewhat tenuous control, he continued until she stopped outside a door.
With her back to him, she faced the door with her hand on the handle. A good eight inches shorter than he, Thea’s head reached his shoulders. For a moment, she was so still, he thought she might be saying a prayer. She exhaled deeply, the sound poignant, then threw open the door.
In that instant, the sun disappeared behind a cloud blanketing the room in semidarkness. He took a step forward, but Thea placed her hand on his forearm to stop him.
“Wait for the sun. It’s too dangerous otherwise.”
“Dangerous, how?” he asked. Her clean, light floral scent wafted toward him. Indeed, it was too dangerous, particularly with her so close to him and all of his senses on high alert. In response, he took a step to increase the distance between them.
She didn’t have to answer when slowly, sunshine crept back in the room revealing a massive bedroom tastefully decorated—except for the piles and piles of papers that were scattered hither and yon across the floor. Parts of the floorboard were uprooted and laid to the side like fallen soldiers. An apt description as it looked like a battlefield with holes in the flooring where wooden planks had been removed. If a person didn’t watch their step, they’d fall through the gaps.
Thea inched her way into the room, then lit a small candelabra. She placed it on a side table where a chair also resided. “If you’ll sit here, I’ll bring you the papers.”
“For what purpose? What are we doing here?” An appropriate question since he seriously doubted her sanity for a moment—and his, for following her upstairs.
“I can’t read Latin.” She took a step back.
Instinctively, he shot his hand to stop her. “Careful.”
She stopped, then studied his hand on her arm. Her skin underneath his palm radiated heat which made it completely unexplainable why the hairs on his arms stood straight at attention as if suddenly on alert.
He released his grip, then wondered if he’d made the right decision. There were holes everywhere that she could fall in.
“I know my way around the room and around the mess. You asked why we’re here. I’m trying to find the charter granting my title. These documents are in Latin, and I’m hoping one of them is the charter.” Briefly, her eyes clouded with something before she tilted her chin up an inch. The agitation in her alto voice was unmistakable. “I must find it before I’m called to London to appear before the Committee for Privileges, and I’d hoped you’d help me.”
“Of course, I’ll lend whatever assistance I can. But why don’t you sit, and I’ll retrieve the documents.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Before he could say another word, she stepped carefully in a pattern as if she were playing hopscotch around the openings in the floor.
Cautious of the holes, Will followed her.
Gracefully, she sank to her knees with her gown billowing around her, then sat beside the largest pile of papers in the room. When she glanced up at him, she motioned him beside her. “It’s safe here.”
“We hope.” Will smiled, then sat beside her.
“You’re probably wondering what happened.” She picked up one paper and sighed. “While my grandfather was ill, he hid things that he thought were important. Sometimes it was something inconsequential like a quill or a penny. For a while he liked to hide the fresh eggs that I’d gathered in the mornings. When one of them spoiled and I couldn’t find it, I decided it was time that I hid them from him.” The gentle smile on her face turned bittersweet, and her eyes grew misty. “I think he might have hidden the charter.”
“Was this a game you two played together?”
She didn’t answer.
“Lady Eanruig…” What could he say that would bring comfort to such a sweet but strange memory he didn’t understand.
“Call me Thea,” she said softly.
“Will, then,” he answered. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” As if dismissing her grief and him, she turned her attention to the first page on the pile. “I think this is a possibility. It looks like an old parchment.”
She handed it to him without looking at him directly which must have meant that she still grieved and didn’t want to discuss her grandfather. Without a word, he read the paper she handed him.
“It’s a deed to a parcel of property.” He returned it to her, and she gave him another. This time when he read it, he shook his head. “A proclamation that the Duke of Ferr-Colby is an honorary member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Ladykyrk Parish. It’s dated 1779.”
She pursed her lips and handed him the rest of the stack. “These are every piece of paper I could find in Latin.”
Within moments, he’d scanned the pages. “There’s no charter of title here. It would be easy to see as it would have the monarch’s large seal at the bottom.”
She narrowed her eyes and regarded him. “Are you certain you read Latin?”
“I beat out my brother for top marks at Eton.” He waggled his eyebrows, and she rewarded him with a laugh. It was a lovely sound, one that seemed to warm the room. “Are there any more documents?”
“These are all that I’ve found.” She straightened the papers, then captured his gaze. “My butler, Mr. Miles, and his wife, Mrs. Miles, helped me scour the rest of the house for hiding places.”
“I’ll be leaving for London soon. If you find any more and I’m not here, ask the local vicar to call. He should be proficient in Latin also.” He reached over and returned the documents to the top of the pile. “But while I’m here, I’ll help you.”
The hope in her eyes enhanced the unusual color of her irises.
“Will—”
“Ahem. Lady Eanruig, I hate to interrupt.” Her butler stood in the door entrance with two letters. “These just came by special courier.”
Without a word, Thea rose and carefully made her way to the butler’s side. She accepted the letters. Her fingers visibly trembled when she broke the seal. Stoically, she read the missive, then repeated the same for the second letter. She turned to Will. “The first is from the House of Lords.”
“My lady?” Mr. Miles asked. “Is it the summons?”
Worry marred her face, and all her earlier courage and fight seemed to wither before Will’s eyes.
“I’m to appear three weeks from now for the hearing to decide if I’m the true heir of the Earldom of Eanruig.” She turned to Mr. Miles. “The second is from Mr. Blaze, the duke’s solicitor. The duke’s men will be here the day after tomorrow. I don’t have much time left.”
Wanting to bolster her courage, Will stood and carefully made his way to her side. “What can I do to help? Shall we discuss this downstairs?”
Thea shifted her gaze to his as if he were an unwanted interruption. Her eye color had turned into a hazy gray, that reminded him of a brewing storm. “This is rude and ill-mannered, but I’m sorry, you need to leave. I need some time to gather my thoughts.”
He didn’t want to leave her here, particularly not in a bedroom with pages strewn about and wooden planks pulled from the floor. Though Mr. Miles stood close, Thea needed more help than a butler and a housekeeper could offer. She needed political clout. Someone who would fight for her.
It would be beyond foolish to become involved with her troubles. He heaved a breath and dragged his hand through his hair. Devil take him. He was a Cavensham, and his family had taught him not to walk away from an unfair fight even if it wasn’t his. “Are you certain? It wouldn’t be any inconvenience.”
She shook her head. “Please tell Stella that I regret the late notice, but I’ll not dine with her this evening. Mr. Miles will see you out.” Without a goodbye, she turned, then headed down the hall.
It took every ounce of restraint for Will not to follow her and find out more. But she didn’t want him. He took one last glance around the room, then nodded at Mr. Miles, signaling he was ready to leave.
Thea’s butler slowly examined Will as if taking his measure. After a moment, he nodded as if coming to a decision. “My lord, I hope you don’t find this presumptuous, but if you really want to help Lady Thea—I mean, Lady Eanruig, take a walk about Ladykyrk and talk to some of the people who live here. The Daniels’ farm is straight down the road. He’ll share what Lady Eanruig means to us.”
“That’s an excellent idea. Thank you.” Perhaps he’d find out more about Thea’s grandfather and how dire her situation was if he visited some of her tenants.
After receiving directions to the Daniels’ farm, Will cut through the field and found a beautiful farmhouse meticulously maintained. With smoke rising from the chimney and flowers planted out front, it welcomed visitors and proclaimed that the tenants at Ladykyrk were prosperous. In the small enclosed yard, two little girls played with their dolls.
As Will strolled toward them, they both looked up and smiled. He waved in greeting. “Is your father home?”
Before he could blink, they were by his side.
“I’m Fern.” A little girl with brown curls regarded him. “This is my sister, Ivy.” She motioned to the girl on the other side of Will.
Ivy waved a hand but stayed silent as she studied the doll in her hand.
“We’ll take you to him,” Fern said confidently. “Ivy doesn’t talk much except to me.”
“That’s not true,” Ivy protested. “You never give me a chance to say a word.”
By then, his two escorts had opened a side gate that led to a barn.
Ivy glanced up at Will. “Who are you?” she asked softly with a lovely Northumberland lilt.
“My name is Lord William. I’m visiting my aunt over at Payne Manor.”
Fern’s eyes grew big. “Our lady told us that it’s beautiful.”
“Do you mean Lady Eanruig?” he asked.
Ivy nodded. “She visits us every week and always brings us something. Last week, she brought honey.”
By then, they’d reached the barn where a man in his mid-thirties cut wood.
“Da, you have a visitor,” Fern called out.
Their father looked up. He pulled out a clean handkerchief and wiped his hands, before he made his way toward them. “What can I do for you, sir?”
When he reached Will’s side, he extended his hand.
As they shook hands, the farmer’s eyes widened a little at Will’s strong grip.
“I’m Lord William Cavensham. I wonder if you might have a moment to discuss Lady Eanruig.” A chilly silence met his introduction. “I’m Lady Payne’s great nephew,” Will added.
He must have said the right words as the man’s demeanor instantly warmed. “Ah, well, that’s good. I thought you might be a friend of the new duke. I’m Robert Daniels, but my friends call me Robbie. Girls, why don’t you go help your mother.”
As the girls scampered off, Robbie motioned for Will to follow him. “While we’re talking, you can help me fix the barn siding.”
“Gladly,” Will offered. At least he’d be able to help someone at Ladykyrk today.
After shrugging out of his morning coat, Will rolled up his sleeves. Robbie offered a hammer and nails, then picked up the boards. Shortly, they both stood in front of an exposed beam that supported the barn’s structure.
“What would you like to know about Lady Eanruig?” Robbie held the board against the side of the barn while Will pounded it in place.
“How long has she been managing Ladykyrk and the tenants?” Will pulled another nail out of his waistcoat pocket.
Robbie hoisted another board and secured it against the previous one. “Roughly the past seven years. Ever since she and the duke came to live here.”
“Anyone help her?”
“No,” the farmer said curtly.
They ceased their conversation when Will pounded the new board. The pattern repeated without additional words spoken. When they finished the repair, Robbie nodded his head. “You’re stronger than I thought you’d be.”
“Still waters run deep.” Will grinned. “I’m no stranger to farm work. I do whatever needs to be done on my father’s and brother’s estates.” He dug the extra nails out of his pocket and handed them to the farmer. “I’d like to help Lady Eanruig.”
Robbie took his cap and slapped it against his leg. “I’m not certain how.” He regarded Will as carefully as Will studied him. “She’s an excellent landlord, and always helps when we need it. Last month, she personally helped all of us bring the sheep up from the lower pastures. For three days in wind and rain, she walked the fields with nary a complaint. Not many landowners would help like that.”
“Rough work. I’ve done it myself a couple of times,” Will said in agreement. The fact that Thea would work in such harsh conditions was impressive and a testament to her commitment to the estate and her tenants.
Robbie nodded. “Two years ago, she shared her portion of the harvest with all of us as the crops didn’t yield much.” Robbie narrowed his eyes as his gaze swept over the fields. “Many of us wouldn’t have been able to feed our families that year without her help.”
“That’s very generous,” Will agreed. “Many estate owners don’t share their bounty as they’d need to sell their surplus for the upkeep and maintenance of the estates.”
In his family, they always had a reserve to help their loyal tenants. It was mutually beneficial as the landowner and tenants relied on each other’s successes. Sadly, not all landowners understood that concept.
Somehow, it didn’t surprise him that Thea accepted the challenge of managing such a great estate with such kindness and true concern for the welfare of those who depended upon her. Mr. Miles’ fondness for Thea became apparent when he told Will to visit the Daniels’ family. Both Stella and Edith held Thea in the highest regard.
“Our lady also ensures each house is repaired when needed. She visits all of us at least once a month.” Robbie smiled and his eyes brightened with affection. “She’s here weekly because of my girls.” He flicked his hand over the scraps of wood that remained on the makeshift worktable from the repairs on the barn. “She visits each tenant after every winter and asks what needs to be done to keep our houses safe and sound. She supplies the materials, and we supply the labor.”
“Why do you call her our lady?”
With a faint smile that bespoke true affection, Robbie studied the barley field in front of them. “She’s one of us and always will be.” He caught Will’s gaze. “She’s ours.”
That type of loyalty couldn’t be bought in Will’s opinion. These people loved Thea. “What about her grandfather? Was he well-regarded?”
“Aye. A kind man who cherished this land. But you should ask Lady Eanruig about his involvement with us.” Robbie’s lips pursed into a tight line letting Will know they were done with the subject. “The new duke?” He spit on the ground, not hiding his disgust for Ferr-Colby.
“A man held in high esteem, I see.”
Robbie chuckled slightly at Will’s jest. “You want to help our lady? Then find a way to send the new Duke of Ferr-Colby to the wilds of America and abandon him. He cares nothing for Ladykyrk.”
“Trust me. I’ll volunteer to dump him on the first ship that sails out of the closest harbor.” Will turned slightly so he could gaze on Thea’s home, Ladykyrk Hall. She may not want to marry him, but after everything he’d learned today, he’d do everything in his power to convince her to accept his help.
Ladykyrk needed her.
He might need her too.
Shocked at such a thought, he took a step in the opposite direction of Ladykyrk Hall. It was pure nonsense. His contentment required he continue to focus on his work, his ever-increasing responsibilities to his family’s estates.